State  of  New  York, 


Yorktovvn  C  entennial 


M  ESS  A  G  E 


OP  THK 


GOV  E  R  N  O  R 


AND 


REPORT  OF  THK 

Commissioners  of  the  State  for  the  Reception 
and  Entertainment 


National  Gu  ests. 


ft- 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


GOVERNOR'S  MESSAGE. 


State  of  New  York,  ") 
EXECUTIVE  CHAMBER,  I 
Albany,  January  19,  1882.  J 

To  the  Legislature  : 

Herewith  is  transmitted  for  your  information  the 
report  of  the  Commissioners  for  the  reception  of 
the  National  guests,  designated  pursuant  to  Sen- 
ate resolutions,  adopted  June  21,  1881,  in  words 
following  : 

ki  State  0 v  N  e w  Yob  k  , 

"  IN  SENATE, 

u  A  LB  ANY,  J  a  nt   21,  1881* 

"Whereas,  The  State  of  New  York  during  its  long 
''occupation  of  its  chief  city  was  for  a  long  period, 
"notably  in  the  summer  of  1781,  ami  the  fall  of  1782, 
"protected  and  succored  by  tin-  troopfl  which  France, 
"  the  ally  of  the  United  State.-.  Bent  to  their  M8)Bt- 
M ance ;  and. 


4 

"  Whereas,  After  the  victory  of  the  allied  forces  at 
"  Yorktown,  the  city  of  New  York  remained  for  a 
"  period  of  more  than  two  years  in  the  occupation  of 
"  the  British  Troops :  and  in  the  disorganized  condition 
"  of  the  State,  no  opportunity  was  permitted  to  it  to 
"  express  its  recognition  of  the  services  rendered  by 
"  the  French  in  protecting  its  soil  and  obtaining  its 
"  deliverance ;  and, 

''Whereas,  In  response  to  an  invitation  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  the  French  government 
"has  signified  its  intention  of  sending  a  delegation  to 
"  represent  it  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the 
"monument  to  the  alliance  on  the  ground  of  the  vic- 
M  tory :  therefore. 

"  Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  be 
"  and  hereby  is  directed  and  authorized  to  extend  the 
"  courtesies  of  the  State  of  New  York  in  such  manner 
"  as  he  may  deem  wise  and  proper,  to  the  Delegation 
u  of  the  French  Government,  the  family  of  Lafayette, 
"  and  the  descendants  of  the  Marquis  de  Rochambeau, 
"  the  Count  de  Grasse,  and  of  such  other  general  offi- 
"  cers  of  the  French  army  and  fleet,  who  served  in  the 
"  Yorktown  Campaign,  as  may  visit  the  United  States 
•'during  the  present  summer;  and  it  is  further 

"  Resolved.  That  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  be 


I 

"  and  hereby  is  empowered  to  call  to  his  aid  such  of 
M  the  citizens  of  the  State  as  he  may  select,  to  assist 
M  in  the  reception  and  entertainment  of  these  honored 
"guests,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  draw  hi>  war- 
'*  rant  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  such  moneys 
"as  may  be  required  for  the  purposes  of  this  resolution. 

"  By  order. 

"JbHH    W.    V  ROOM  AN, 

Although  the  resolutions  in  terms  authorized 
the  Governor  "to  draw  his  warrant  on  the  Treas- 
f'urer  of  the  State  for  such  moneys  as  may  be 
"required  for  the  purposes  of  this  resolution." 
no  appropriation  having  been  made  for  the  pur- 
pose specified,  there  was  no  money  available  to 
defray  expenses  :  and  it  did  not  appear  proper  to 
me,  in  view  of  that  fact,  to  authorize  any  expend- 
iture  on  behalf  of  the  State.  Accordingly,  there- 
fore, fifteen  citizens,  residing  in  New  York  city 
and  vicinity,  were  designated  and  requested  to 
serve  as  a  Commission  of  Reception.  They  were 
at  the  same  time  expressly  notified  that  no  lia- 
bility against  the  State  could  be  authorized. 


The  Commission  thus  appointed,  consisted  of  the 
gentlemen  named,  as  follows: 

John  A.  Kino.  Lloyd  Aspinwall. 

Frederick  W.  Seward.    Horace  Russell. 


Hamilton  Fish,  Jr. 
William  W.  Astor. 


Alfred  C.  Barnes. 
James  M.  Vabnum. 


Cornelius  Vanderbilt.    Francis  C.  Barlow 


Robert  Ray  Hamilton. 
William  Jay. 


John  Austin  Stevens. 
Robert  E.  Livingston. 


William  Rhinelander  Stewart. 


The  Commissioners  cordially  and  promptly 
accepted  the  duty  intrusted  to  them,  and  devoted 
themselves  assiduously  to  its  discharge,  which  was 
accomplished  in  a  manner  alike  honorable  to  the 
State,  in  whose  name  they  acted,  and  creditable 
to  themselves  as  citizens.  Indeed,  it  is  becoming 
to  say  that  their  action  was  in  the  highest  degree 
worthy  of  the  great  State  whose  hospitalities  they 
were  directed  to  extend  to  the  distinguished 
guests ;  and  it  is  my  especial  desire  to  bear  testi- 
mony to  their  service,  so  zealously  and  efficiently 
rendered  in  true  public  spirit.  Besides  much  time 
devoted  by  the  Commissioners,  they  personally 
contributed  several  thousand  dollars  for  the  pay- 


ment  of  hotel  bills,  carriage  hire  and  other 
expenses,  so  that  neither  for  maintenance  nor 
travel  were  the  National  guests  allowed  r<>  expend 
a  single  dollar  within  the  borders  of  our  State. 

Certainly,  it  was  not  contemplated  by  me,  in 
naming  the  Commissioners,  that  they  should 
assume  the  burden  of  such  outlay  :  but,  as  they 
conceived  it  to  be  proper  to  take  it  upon  them- 
selves, in  order  to  carry  out  the  spirit  of  the  reso- 
lutions, it  would  seem  but  just  that  the  State 
should  promptly  reimburse  them.  It  is,  however, 
due  to  them  to  apprise  you  that  several  of  the 
Commissioners  stated  to  me  that  the  expenses  were 
incurred  without  expectation  of  return,  and  that 
they  did  not  desire  it.  Moreover,  two  of  them  at 
least,  have  requested  that  no  recommendation  look- 
ing to  their  reimbursement  should  be  made.  It 
would  nevertheless,  be  manifestly  improper  to  allow 
private  citizens  to  defray  the  expense  of  entertain- 
ing, on  behalf  of  the  State,  gueets  coming  fr<»m 
abroad  in  the  capacity  of  National  representatives 
on  the  invitation  of  the  general  government,  to  be 
present  at  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  triumph 
of  the  allied  forces  at  Yorktown.  It  is,  therefore; 
recommended  that  suitable  appropriation  be  BUUfc 


8 

to  enable  the  Comptroller  to  reimburse  the  Com- 
missioners tor  such  expenditures  as  have  been  prop- 
erly made  by  them. 

YORKTOWN  CENTKNNI  A  h. 

It  seems  appropriate,  in  connection  with  the 
foregoing  subject,  to*  make  brief  reference  to  the 
representation  of  the  State  at  the  celebration  of 
the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  surrender  of  the 
British  forces  at  Yorktown,  last  October.  Congress 
appropriated  $100,000  for  the  erection  of  an  impos- 
ing monument  on  the  historical  ground  where  the 
surrender  occurred,  and  provided  for  a  becoming 
observance  of  the  centennial  celebration,  to  include 
the  Jaying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  projected 
monument.  The  general  arrangements  were 
intrusted  to  a  committee  composed  of  Senators 
and  Representatives  in  Congress.  Invitations  were 
extended  to  the  French  government,  and  to  the 
several  States,  requesting  formal  representation  on 
the  occasion  ;  and  also,  to  the  descendants  of  the 
principal  officers  of  the  allied  armies.  France  for- 
mally accepted  the  invitation,  and  sent  a  deputa- 
tion of  nearly  forty  persons,  about  one-half  of 
whom  were    lineal  descendants  of  Lafayette,  de 


Roehambeau,  de  Grasse  and  other  illustrious 
officers  who  participated  in  our  Revolutionary 
struggle. 

The  celebration  began  on  the  eighteenth  of  Octo- 
ber, lasting  three  days :  and  was  a  successful 
demonstration.  Among  those  present  were :  The 
President  and  Cabinet,  prominent  officers  of  the 
army  and  navy,  many  of  the  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress;  besides  a  considerable 
detachment  of  regular  troops,  and  a  naval  force 
with  ships  of  war.  Nearly  all  the  States  took 
some  part  in  the  celebration.  More  than  twenty 
were  represented  by  their  Chief  Executives,  and 
quite  that  number  wTere  represented  by  regiments 
or  companies  of  State  troops.  The  State  of  New 
York  participated  by  the  presence  of  the  Governor 
and  staff,  th^  Thirteenth  regiment,  accompanied 
by  Dods  worth's  band,  a  portion  of  the  Sixty-fifth 
and  Seventy- fourth  regiments,  and  the  Ninth  sepa- 
rate company ;  as  well  also,  by  a  large  number  of 
prominent  citizens.  The  New  York  troops  pre- 
sented an  excellent  appeara  ice,  and  did  great 
credit  to  the  State  by  their  admirable  behavior. 

The  event  was  in  every  wav  commendable  to 
the  country.    And  the  cordial  commingling  of  citi- 


10 

zens  and  soldiers  from  different  sections  of  the 
Union  on  that  memorable  spot,  and  at  the  particu- 
lar time  chosen,  should  exert  a  salutary  inliuence 
throughout  our  whole  domain.  The  revival  of 
the  patriotic  memories  of  the  Revolutionary  period 
inspired  those  present  with  renewed  devotion  to 
the  Union  ;  and  will,  let  us  hope,  promote  a  new 
spirit  of  loyalty  for  the  future. 

ALONZO  B.  CORNELL. 


R  K  P  O  R  T 


OF  the 

Commission   to-  Extend  the  Courtesies  ok 
the  State  of  New  York  to  the 
Guests  of  the  Nation. 


To  THE   G Q V  KKJS UK  l 

The  Commission  appointed  under  the  great  seal  ot  the 
State,  in  accordance  with  the  resolutions  of  the  Senate 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  authorizing  the  Governor 
"  to  extend  the  courtesies  of  the  State  to  the  delegation 
of  the 'French  Government,  the  family  of  Lafayette,  and 
the  descendants  of  the  Marquis  de  Rochainbeau,  the 
Count  de  Grass?,  and  of  such  other  general  officers  oi 
the  French  Army  and  Fleet  who  served  in  the  Ynrktown 
Campaign,  as  may  visit  the  United  States  during  the 
present  summer,  and  to  such  other  guests  as  may  be 
delegated  or  invited   to  visit  the  United   State  8,  for  the 

purpose  of  taking  part  in  the  forthcoming  celebration  at 
Yorktown,"  baa  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  Report 
of  its  action  in  obedience  thereto: 

Ornani/.ing  on  the  third  of  September,  immediately 
after  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  appointment — your 


12 

Commission  addressed  letters  of  invitation  to  the  several 
gentlemen  invited  bv  the  General  Government  and  to 
those  who  would  accompany  them,  which  were  forwarded 
by  the  courtesy  of  the  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  State 
of  the  United  States.  It  afterwards  waited  upon  the 
Secretaries  of  State,  of  the  Treasury,  arid  of  the  Navy, 
in  order  to  conform  its  arrangements  of  reception  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  authorities  of  the  General  Government.' 
It  is  the  first  duty  of  your  Commission  to  report  the 
cordiality  with  which  these  gentlemen  accepted  its  co-oper- 
ation in  the  agreeable  and  honorable  duty  of  welcoming 
to  our  shores  the  distinguished  guests  of  the  Nation. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  French  steam-frigate  Magicienne 
and  the  Aviso  Dermont  d'Urville,  the  escort  of  the 
expected  delegation,  under  the  command  of  Rear  Admiral 
Halilgon  of  the  French  West  India  Naval  Station,  your 
Commission  visited  this  officer  on  board  of  his  ship  and 
wras  received  with  courteous  ceremony. 

A  similar  visit  of  welcome  was  paid  to  his  Excellency 
M.  Max  Outrey,  Minister  of  France  to  the  United  States, 
and  chief  of  the  delegation  appointed  to  represent  the 
French  Government  and  Nation  on  his  arrival  from 
France,  when  a  renewed  tender  of  the  courtesies  and 
hospitalities  of  the  State  vvas  formally  made  and  accepted 
with  frank  cordiality. 


13 

The  French  trans- Atlantic  steamer  Canada  arrived  in 
the  waters  of  New  York  bay  on  the  early  morning  of 
Wednesday,  the  fifth  of  October,  having  on  board  the 
French  delegation,  the  representatives  of  the  family  of 
Lafayette  and  the  descendants  of  officers  who  served  at 
Yorktown.    The  vessel  was  saluted  by  the  United  States 
fleet  assembled  on  the  station,  Rear  Ad  mica]  Wyman 
commanding  on  his  flag-ship  the  Tennessee.    The  French 
steamer  was  immediately  boarded  bv  the  gentlemen  of 
the  United  States  State  Department  designated  by  II  i> 
Excellency  the  Secretary  of  State  to  receive  the  honored 
guests  in  the  name  of  the  Nation,  accompanied  by  your 
Commission.    After  the  ceremony  of  welcome  bv  the 
United  States  authorities,  your  Commission   was  pre- 
sented to  the  delegation  and  formally  entrusted  with 
their  care  and  entertainment  while  within  the  limits  of 
the  State  of  New  York.    Transferred  to  a  government 
tug  kindly  tendered  bv  the  United    States  Treasury 
Department,  escorted  by  the  United  States  vessels  of  war 
in  the  harbor,  and  honored  by  a  passing  salute  from  the 
United  States  fort  at  Governor's  Island,  the  delegation 
was  brought  to  the  city  and  landed  at  the  Battery,  where 
carriages  were  in   waiting  to  receive  them,  in  which, 
escorted  bv  the  entire  Seventh   Regiment,  New  York 
National  Guard,  which  had  volunteered  its  services  on  the 


14 

occasion,  they  were  driven  through  Broadway,  Fourteenth 
street  and  the  Fifth  avenue,  to  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel, 
where  elegant  apartments  had  been  provided  for  them  by 
your  Commission.  We  recall  with  satisfaction  and  pride 
the  general  and  hearty  welcome  extended  by  the  citizens 
of  the  metropolis  to  these,  the  guests  of  the  Nation  and 
of  the  State. 

You  will  pardon  a  mention  of  the  presentation  of  the 
delegation  to  yourself,  and  a  reference  to  the  magnificent 
military  review  of  the  First  Division  of  the  New  York 
State  National  Guard,  Major-General  Alexander  Shaler 
commanding,  held  by  you  in  person  on  Thursday,  the 
sixth  of  October,  in  the  presence  of  the  honored  delega- 
tion, who  were  invited  guests.  The  published  official 
report  of  General  Boulanger,  chief  of  the  representatives 
of  the  French  War  Department,  bears  witness  to  the 
appreciation  the  delegation  entertains  of  your  courtesy 
and  of  the  soldierly  bearing  and  precision  of  movement 
of  the  troops  reviewed.  Here,  again,  your  Commission 
desire  to  mention  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the  visitors 
were  welcomed  by  the  population  of  the  city,  the  entire 
length  of  the  route  from  Madison  square  to  Central  Park, 
as  they  were  driven  up  and  down  the  line. 

In  the  evening,  upon  the  invitation  of  the  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Fire  Department,  the  guests  witnessed  the 


15 

response  to  an  alarm  of  tire,  the  execution  of  which,  in 
all  its  details,  excited  their  wannest  admiration  and 
received  special  notice  in  the  report  already  alluded  to. 

On  Friday,  the  seventh  October,  the  delegation  visited 
West  Point.  By  the  courtesy  of  Admiral  Wyman,  and 
with  the  cordial  concurrence  of  their  commanders,  the 
United  States  gun-boats  Vandal i a,  Captain  Meade,  and 
the  historic  Kearsarge,  Commander  White,  were  placed  at 
the  disposition  of  your  Commission  for  this  visit.  The 
quests  were  escorted  from  the  hotel  to  the  river  side  by 
the  Gaixles  Lafayette.  Admiral  Wyman,  Major-General 
Hancock  and  a  number  of  distinguished  citizens  accom- 
panied the  guests.  The  vessels  sailed  up  the  Hudson  on 
one  of  the  finest  days  of  this  beautiful  season.  At  Wot 
Point  the  visitors  were  received  with  due  ceremony  by 
the  Post  Commander,  witnessed  a  review  ot  the  Cadets 
of  the  United  States  Military  Academy,  and  in  the 
evening  were  entertained  by  your  commission  with  a 
dinner  and  ball  at  Cozzens'  Hotel. 

Saturday,  the  eighth  October,  by  the  courtesy  Of  the 
President  of  the  Xew  York  Central  and  Hudson  River 
Railroad  the  delegation,  escorted  by  your  Commission. 
Was  carried  in  a  special  train  over  the  lines  of  the  HndBOD 
River  and  Xew  York  Central  Railroad  to  Niagara.  The 
thriving  industrial   towns  oil  this  extensive  line  were 


16 

pointed  out  to  the  visitors.  At  way  stations  numbers 
of  the  inhabitants  were  gathered  and  gave  welcome. 
On  the  journey  an  elegant  collation  of  fifty  covers  was 
served  in  the  cars  while  in  motion  at  the  rate  of  fifty 
miles  an  hour. 

Sunday,  the  ninth  October,  was  passed  at  Niagara, 
in  quiet  contemplation  of  the  majestic  grandeur  of  the 
Falls.  Your  Commission  must  bear  tribute  to  the  libe- 
rality of  the  proprietors  of  the  grounds,  who,  without 
exception,  tendered  free  admittance ;  to  the  directors  of 
the  Suspension  and  other  bridges  for  free  passage,  and 
for  an  evening  illumination  of  the  Falls  by  calcium 
light. 

On  Monday,  the  tenth,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  New  York  and  Erie  Railroad  Company,  the 
French  visitors,  accompanied  by  your  Commission,  were 
carried  on  a  special  train  to  Elmira,  where  they  were  met 
by  a  committee  from  the  city  of  Baltimore,  to  whom  was 
confided  the  charge  of  the  guests.  At  Hornellsville  an 
elegant  breakfast  was  served  in  the  dining-room  of  the 
Erie  railroad. 

Returned  to  New  York,  your  Commission  was  in  season 
to  receive  the  representatives  of  the  family  of  the  Baron 
de  Steuben,  Major-General  in  the  army  of  t lie  United 
States  in  the  war  of   the  Revolution,  who  had  been 


1? 

invited  by  the  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the 
United  States,  to  participate  in  the  celebration  of  the 
victory  at  Yorktown.  These  gentlemen,  seven  in  number, 
accompanied  by  His  Excellency  the  German  Imperial 
Minister,  lien-  Van  Schlozer,  arrived  in  the  Hamburg 
steamer  Herder,  on  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  October. 
They  were  received  by  representatives  of  the  Department 
of  State  of  the  United  States,  and  placed  in  charge  of 
your  Commission  with  the  same  ceremony  extended  to 
the  former  guests.  Transferred  to  the  United  States 
Steamer  Kearsarge,  which,  under  the  instructions  of  the 
Admiral  on  the  station,  awaited  their  arrival,  they  were 
brought  to  the  city  under  a  passing  salute  from  the  tort, 
landed  at  the  Battery  and  driven  to  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Hotel,  where  apartments  had  been  arranged  for  them  by 
your  Commission.  In  the  evening,  after  a  dinner  giVen 
by  your  Commission,  they  were  escorted  to  a  musical 
demonstration  of  German  citizens  in  Union  Square,  over 
which  the  Mayor  presided,  and  thence  t>»  Jersey  City, 
where  they  took  cars  for  Washington. 

The  French  gentlemen  and  the  representatives  of  the 
Steuben  family  returned  to  Xew  York  on  the  fourth  of 
November.  On  Saturday,  the  fifth,  they  were  enter- 
tained by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  ot  the  State  of  New 
York,  at  a  magnificent  banquet  ot  over  2<in  covers,  ten- 


18 

dered  through  the  officers  of  your  Commission.  A  report 
of  the  proceedings  on  this  interesting  occasion  has  been 
published  by  the  Chamber. 

On  Monday,  the  seventh  of  November,  the  French 
delegation  and  the  representatives  of  the  family  of  Baron 
de  Steuben  visited  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  in 
pursuance  of  an  invitation  tendered  to  them.  They  were 
received  by  the  officers  with  formal  courtesy,  and  a  large 
number  of  the  older  members  were  gathered  in  their 
honor.  The  visitors  expressed  their  satisfaction  at  wit- 
nessing the  numerous  historical  relics  of  the  Revolution, 
portraits  of  Lafayette  painted  from  the  life,  numerous  let- 
ters written  by  him  during  the  American  war  and  from  his 
Prussian -Austrian  prisons,  and  the  manuscripts  of  Baron 
de  Steuben,  especially  full  on  the  Yorktown  campaign. 

Your  Commission  record  with  the  greatest  satisfaction 
this  cordial  co-operation  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society,  both  chartered  institutions  of  the  State,  in  the 
courtesies  with  which  it  was  charged.  Later,  the  extensive 
and  commodious  armory  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  N.  Gr. 
S.  N.  Y.,  was  visited. 

On  the  evening  of  Monday,  the  seventh,  a  grand  ball 
was  given  in  honor  of  the  guests  of  the  Nation  at  the 
Metropolitan  Casino  by  your  Commission,  assisted  by 


19 

loo  gentlemen  of  the  city  <>f  New  York  of  the  first  dis- 
tinction. 

On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  the  eighth  of  November, 
in  response  to  an  invitation  of  M.  Ontrey,  the  chief 
of  the  French  delegation,  your  Commission  met  in  the 
drawing-room  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  and  received  a 
formal  acknowledgment  of  its  courtesies,  at  which  the 
Secretary  of -State  of  the  United  States  was  present  in 
person.  The  delegation  disbanded  the  next  day,  a  p;irt 
taking  the  steamer  tor  France,  others  departing  in  various 
directions  to  visit  the  interior  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada. 

Friday,  the  twenty-ninth  of  December,  your  Commis- 
sion, informed  by  its  treasurer  that  every  obligation 
incurred  by  it  had  been  discharged,  held  a  final  meeting, 
ordered  that  a  report  of  their  action  be  addressed  to  the 
Governor,  with  their  joint  and  several  thanks  for  the 
honor  conferred  upon  them  in  their  appointment,  and 
was  formally  dissolved. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  A.  KING, 

( "fm  i mum . 

.John  Austin  Stkvkns, 

i I ding  Secretary. 
Nkw  York,  %9tA  December^  l<sM. 


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